The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure has awarded NSHE System Computing Services (SCS) a $5 million grant. This funding aims to enhance workforce capabilities in technology for science through the WildWEST (Wild-area-networks Wireless Enabling Science Team) project, an initiative focused on improving environmental study and understanding in the western United States.
The WildWEST project is a collaborative effort led by NSHE’s NevadaNet, in partnership with the Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN) at the University of Utah and Arizona’s Sun Corridor Network (SCN) at Arizona State University. Both institutions will receive sub-awards from NSHE-SCS.
“This NSF grant underscores the collaborative spirit of our research and technology teams within NSHE, along with our dedicated partners at the University of Utah and Arizona State University,” said Interim Chancellor Patricia Charlton. “We are excited about the significant impact this project will have on observational science and eager to share our progress with the broader scientific community.”
Populations and resource managers in the western U.S. increasingly rely on sensor networks operated by earth and environmental scientists for near-real-time information on wildfire, water, climate, and ecology. However, these study sites are often located in remote, rugged environments, presenting challenges in installation, maintenance, and digital connectivity. Field researchers frequently work alone or in small teams focused on specific scientific questions without access to advanced technology platforms or engineering support.
Recognizing this opportunity, NSHE’s NevadaNet has formed a coordinated team of research technology professionals with its regional partners.
“This team is dedicated to enhancing the value of observational science through improved infrastructure design and connectivity,” said Dr. Scotty Strachan, Principal Investigator for the WildWEST project. “Creating new professional roles in Nevada that have the expertise to deliver advanced technology to remote areas is something that we’ve been working on for years, and now we have the opportunity.”
Over the next five years, WildWEST will focus on:
- Workforce Development: Coordinated recruitment and training of field engineering and Internet-of-Things professionals, along with new student trainee positions.
- Data Transport Solutions: Designing end-to-end data transport solutions for science in remote environments.
- Sharing Best Practices: Developing best practices for field science networks.
- Field Network Testbed: Establishing a cooperative testbed across state lines.
- Workflow Evolution: Simplifying workflows through partnerships with national cyberinfrastructure centers.
The award will fund salaries for network research field engineers, new student trainee positions, travel expenses, and tools. The NSHE team will include science faculty from DRI, UNLV, and the University of Nevada Reno.
The WildWEST project aims to develop technological advancements for field network access while creating large-scale educational opportunities and attracting new talent to science infrastructure research.
“This grant recognizes the innovative approaches NSHE and its partners are taking to address complex challenges in field science,” said Dr. Anne Milkovich, NSHE Chief Information Officer. “The WildWEST project will pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in environmental monitoring and data connectivity.”
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